Tampa vs. Charlotte: Battle of the convention cities

The Westin Charlotte is one of the headquarter hotels during the Democratic National Convention.

By Mark Chesnut

It’s presidential election season, but the excitement isn’t limited to the campaigns and the candidates. The upcoming political conventions are a big deal for the host cities, with many destinations vying to host the massive events, and only two places — this year, the Tampa Bay area and Charlotte, North Carolina — winning the ability to show off their importance and their hotels and attractions, as they rake in millions of delegate travel dollars.

Between Aug. 27 and 30, some 16,000 hotel rooms are reserved at about 100 hotels in the Tampa Bay area for theRepublican National Convention. Delegates will arrive just in time to see the results of a $16 million renovation at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay (which will host the Georgia state Republican delegation). Delegates are traveling from as far away as Guam (they’re staying at Alden Suites in St. Petersburg) and as close by as Florida itself (the Sunshine State’s official host hotel is Innisbrook, A Salamander Golf and Spa Resort).

The entire state of Florida, as a matter of fact, has a long history of welcoming presidential candidates — as well as elected presidents. The Fontainebleau Miami Beach, for example, has hosted an array of big names, ranging from President Truman to President Obama. And former President Jimmy Carter recently vacationed Hawks Cay Resort, in the Florida Keys.

During the week of Sept. 3, the Democratic National Convention will bring more than 35,000 people to Charlotte, where 56 hotels will house the state delegations. One of the headquarter hotels is the Westin Charlotte, where the Democratic National Convention Committee and Obama For America staff can make use of 44,000 square feet of meeting space. State delegationswill stay at properties ranging from the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Charlotte University Research Park (which will host delegates from Alabama) to the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel (which hosts Virginia).

Even the hotel chains are able to milk some extra publicity out of random comments from politicians. Hampton Inns, for example, has played up a story from CNN.com that Ann Romney, wife of the Republican presidential candidate, loves the free Wi-Fi at Hampton Inns — and that President Obama has also been known to skip pricier accommodations for the convenience of the less-expensive brand. Apparently free breakfast is a bipartisan experience.

Related resources

• Charlotte hotels
• Cheap Charlotte flights
• Cheap Tampa flights
• Tampa hotels

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer, editor and publisher of LatinFlyer.com, which focuses on travel to Latin America. He stands firm on the “free-WiFi-is-good” platform.

Tagged: Family time, Florida, Hotels